Global Design Principal at award-winning architecture firm Aedas, Ignacio Gómez is a visionary known for his designs based on a deep research process, understanding of the region and attention to genius loci – an approach that places at the centre the people, culture, history, environment, tradition, society and economics of a place. He has also been instrumental in establishing the overall design direction of the practice in the Middle East, mentoring a multi-cultural team of creatives in the firm’s offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Among the milestone projects led by Ignacio include the Dubai Metro Expo 2020 route, SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences, W Hotel Mina Seyahi and ENOC Mobility Station. Exciting new projects under development include the Red Palace, a reimagination of Riyadh’s historic palace into a six-star boutique hotel and NEOM’s futuristic ski resort Trojena Ski Village.

TROJENA SKI RESORT: This futuristic resort envisioned by Aedas in Saudi will be the world’s first ‘vertical ski village’ and snow destination in the GCC with year-round adventure sport.

Ignacio began his career in Madrid. He later moved to Barcelona, where he worked for over two years on the New City of Justice, a project that won the prestigious RIBA Award in 2010. During his tenure, his diverse portfolio also included Torre Agbar commercial tower, designed by Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel and America’s Cup Foredeck Building designed by David Chipperfield. Prior to his current role at Aedas, Ignacio was Design Director at Godwin Austen Johnson, where he led the design of Al Seef project in the historical part of Dubai Creek and the Phase 1 of the Kingdom Tower Masterplan. Widely acclaimed for his work, Ignacio has won several awards including Young Architect of the Year at the Middle East Architect Awards 2010 and Best Residential Project of the Year for Red Sea Riviera Master Plan, Cityscape Global Awards 2011 for Diplomatic Quarter Celebration Hall and Best Hospitality project for The Chedi Khorfakkan at Middle East Architect Awards 2012. His work has been featured in Fisuras Magazine, Future Architecture Magazine, Via Arquitectura, 2A, Dezeen and Archdaily to name a few. 

He also collaborates as guest critic at different Universities and has been part of key design conferences in the MENA region such as the World Architecture Congress in Dubai, Architectural Design Days in Riyadh, DesignMENA summit, Cityscape Global Conference and Leaders of Architecture. Under Ignacio’s leadership, Aedas is poised to respond to the region’s rising demand for innovative design solutions through an approach that incorporates cultural regional aspects into their designs, that not only distinguishes the firm within the competitive architectural landscape but also resonates with clients seeking solutions that go beyond mere aesthetics.